PennDOT Unveils Internet Mapping Feature

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has added a new mapping feature to its Web site to better explain the updated Transportation Improvement Program.

The state Transportation Commission in August approved the updated program, which reflected an expected 24 percent reduction in funding for improvements for highways, bridges, transit, aviation and rail freight.

“This Web site enhancement is part of our ongoing effort to improve communications with the public and our partners,” said Penn- DOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “Anyone can now go online to see the details of what improvements we can afford. This will help the public to understand that limited funding will have a direct impact on the amount of work we can afford to complete.”

The Internet mapping shows in a visual format the projects on the recently adopted four-year Transportation Improvement Program. Clicking on each red highlighted section on the map brings up a brief project description.

The Transportation Improvement Program, which took effect Oct. 1, includes highway and bridge projects totaling $10.2 billion, compared to $12.2 billion in the 2009 program. Public transit is in line for $6.3 billion compared to the $7.5 billion in the former program; aviation, $602 million compared to $604 million and rail freight, $228 million com- pared to $234 million.